The Oklahoma City Thunder's fight for a playoff spot will likely come down to the season's last games. And fortunately for Russell Westbrook and company, they'll receive about all the help they could possibly get. According to coach Scott Brooks, reigning MVP Kevin Durant will return to the Thunder lineup in a "week or two."

During a discussion with ESPN's Heather Cox in advance of Wednesday's nationally televised matchup between the Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers, Brooks went a step further than calling Westbrook just a "freak."

Kevin Durant has the option to become a free agent in summer 2016. Due to rules of the current CBA giving max-level players financial incentive to test the open market as opposed to signing extensions with incumbent teams, the reigning MVP will surely exercise it.

Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook was his typically dominant self against the Chicago Bulls last night, tallying 43 points, eight boards, and seven dimes. But he slowed down in the fourth quarter following a brilliant third stanza, shooting 2-of-9 from the field and failing to notch an assist.

Russell Westbrook might be the MVP, but he still isn't the defender his unreal blend of physical gifts and maniacal intensity suggests. Case in point: E'Twaun Moore's game-winning jumper in the Chicago Bulls' 108-105 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Westbrook catches the ball below the opponent's free throw line and several feet behind Pau Gasol. He's past the Spanish superstar after one dribble, and ready to attack Tony Snell and Kirk Hinrch on the opposite three-point line following one more bounce. Russ gets his shoulder past Snell's with an easy easy hesitation dribble, then uses one more before exploding so quickly that Nikola Mirotic and Mike Dunleavy can't get effective contests.

Nikola Mirotic made a beautiful leading bounce pass to a 6-9 Chicago Bulls teammate who was streaking ahead of the pack with no one between he and the basket. All Mike Dunleavy had to was finish a barely contested dunk attempt, and his team would inch closer to the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder.

Russell Westbrook is back on the floor tonight following surgery for a fractured cheek. And though the Oklahoma City Thunder MVP candidate isn't wearing a mask befitting a favorite hip-hop emcee or literary phantom, the one he's donning is still pretty awesome.

Russell Westbrook's oft maniacal on-court antics will be even more fun to watch going forward. Upon his return to the court Wednesday following surgery to repair a cheek fracture, the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar will wear a mask.

Russell Westbrook is a leading MVP candidate, and Kevin Durant is the award's reigning recipient. It's the tandem's combined dominance that has made the Oklahoma City Thunder a legitimate championship contender for nearly five seasons running.

Russell Westbrook had 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, notching his third consecutive triple-double. But instead of celebrating the relentless MVP candidate's typically dominant performance, the Oklahoma City Thunder are reeling – not just due to a 115-112 loss, but the potential for injury to its only healthy superstar.